Forced-draft hollow grate-bar.



W. H. PALMER. FORGED DRAFT HOLLOW anus BAR.

APPLICATION FILED IEB.15,1910.

997,507. Patented July 11, 191-1.

3 SHEETS- BERT}.

I pi nucnloz W. PALMER FORGED DRAFT HOLLOW GRATE BAR APPLICATION FILED FEB. 11, @111 1997,5072 Patented July 11,1911.

2 sums-sum" 2 lllllllllllllfllllllllililllllllll WILLIAM H. PALMER, OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS.

FORCED-DRAFT HOLLIS- W GRATE-BAR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 11, 1911.

Application filed February 15, 1910. Serial No. 543,998.

10 all whom it may concern:

31o it known that I, WILLIAM H. PALMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Scott, Bourbon county, Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Forced-Draft Hollow Grate-Bars; and 'I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it zip-pertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in hollow grate bars or air boxes for closed forced draft furnace beds or floors; and the objects and nature of the invention will be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art in the light of the following description of. the accompanying drawings showing what I now consider my preferred embodiment from among other formations within the spirit and scope of my invention.

An object of the invention is to provide certain improvements in details and arrangements whereby an improved and highly eflicient air box or grate bar will be pro- .duced.

Another object of the invention isto pro-\ vide an improved air box having eflicient means whereby the interior of the boxcan be cleaned of sand, ashes or other refuse that: maycollect therein.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in combinations and arrangements as more fully and particularly setforth hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying draw-- ings:-Figure 1, is a frontelevation ofa portion of a brick kiln showing the front of a furnace or arch thereof to which my air box'or grate bar is applied to form a part of the floor or fire bed thereof. Fig. 2, is a detail top plan of the bar. Fig. 3, is a longitudinal elevation of the bar, parts being broken away. Fig. 4, is a cross section.

The force draft grate or air box of my invention is in the-form of an elongated r hollow box adapted to receive air under. pressure and havlng an approximately flat fuel supporting horizontal top wall closed or imperforate except for certain upwardly directed air discharge slits or the equivalent thereof.

This box is cast or otherwise formed in two longitudinal trough-like sec tions fitted together to form the complete, box. The upper section 1, forms the fuel supporting portion of the box and the bottom section 52, carries the top section and forms an ash or refuse trough. The upper section in'the form of an inverted hollow trough open at the bottom (except as closed by the bottom section) and preferably having imperforate vertical depending side and end walls and an approximately flat horizontal top fuel supporting wall 10, formed with a series of upwardly flaring spaced openings, each diametrically bridged by a narrow depressed rib or web 11, usually east on the under surface of the top wall and continued across the openings to form.

tion to form narrow upwardly flaring air' discharge slits 14, in connection with the flared edges of the top wall around the plates. The top wall 10, is preferably formed with a slightly raised edge or head 15, completely around each plate or cap receiving opening and extending above the level of the top faces of said plates and designed to act as guards to prevent the tools or implements used to clean or scrape off the fire bed or grate from catching or engaging the edges of the caps or plates and dislodging them, and also to cause ashes to settle on the surface of the topnwall 10, between adjacent beads and prevent clinkers adboring to said wall and from closing or clogging the air slits 1-1. I

' The bottom section or ash trough 2, is cast with an open top, a floor and side and end walls rising therefrom. The trough formed with exterior longitudinal side supporting flanges 20, arranged near the upper end of the trough. The trough is also form ed with an internal horizontal seator shoulder 21. arranged along the sides and endsthereof a short distance below the top edge of the trough and the vertical lnner facesvof the trough can be flared or inclined upwardly and outwardly above said seat. The lower end of the top section 1, is formed to enter the open top of the-trough andseat on said shoulder 21, while-the inclined inner faces of the trough walls in connection with the le wer portions of the top walls within.

4 the trough ,for the attachment" of air blast pipefll, in

communication with any suitable blower or other source of compressed air supply. This vertical compressed air inlet is usually ar-' ranged a the extreme rear endof the air box directly beneath the solid or imperforate rear end portion 16 of the top wall I0, so that the air blast enters the air box vertically and is directed against 'said solid or blank rear end 16, of the top wall and is thereby deflected so that the airpressure is evenly distributed throughout the interior of the box for the purpose of maintaining uniform air pressure. at all ofthe air discharge slits and ap roximate uniform discharge of air at'a'll t e slits. Furthermore, the heat in the furnace or,- arch is greatest at the rear end of the air box and this arrangement of air blast is particularly designed, to keep down the temperature of the rear end of the box top and prevent-burning thereof or seri-; ous damage thereto.

I preferably form the trough with a vertical transverse partltion or wall 25, across the interior thereofimmediately in front of the air blast opening or so as to form the front Wall thereof, to prevent sand,'ashes or refuse enterin the air blast pipe, and this partition can a so act as a guard or deflector to aid in directing the? blast vertically directly against. the closed or blank rear end of the box top'wall. Inasmuch as sand and ashes drop through the air discharge slits and unless removed'would cause theair box to rapidly burn out or would so clog the same as to prevent proper distributionof -air pressure therein, I provide'jme'ans whereby the 'boxes can be easily cleaned by. renioval of refuse from the interiors thereof and also preferably form the boxes with their interiors unobstructed for the uniform distribution of air pressure therein and, for the free operationof refuse removing devices.

In the particular example illustrated, I show the extreme front end of the floor of the ash trough formed w ith a vertical'reifuse discharge port or openin irovided with :1 depending open nipple 2e, orming a down ward continuation of the refuse discharge. This discharge is normally closed by any suitable valve or other closure. For. in-v stance; I show ai'rockip'g damper or valve 27,".arrariged in norm-all y closing the,

nipple and so balanced as to normally return .cleaniug means because in the operation of brick kilns, sand is employed on the floors, of the arches or furnaces to prevent adherence of clinkers thereto andthisheavy sand drops into the air boxes with the ashes and the sand'is ordinarily too heavy to be discharged froni the trough solely by airpres sure.

In the specific example illustrated. I show a scraper or imperforate rake head 3farranged transversely of the trough and at its edges. generally conforming to the internal cross sectional formation and normally lo cated at the rear end of the trough and provided with an operating rod 3(), arranged longitudinally of the trouglr and pro]ecting slldably t-hrohgh a perforation in the front wall of the trough and at its front end in front of the air box formed with an accessible exposed handle 31, by which. the ash remover can be drawn forwardly to the ash'discharge and can then be forced back to its normal position at the rear end of the trough.

The air box of this invention is peculiarly adapted for use in brick and other kiln arches orfurnaces, rendering it possible to burn unexpensive coal dust or slack thereinv with a' resulting high efficiency.

Inthe drawings I show the air box applied to the arch or furnace 5, of .a brick 'kiln 50. The box is arranged longitudinally and centrally in the floor or furnace bed 51, ofcth e arch so that the top of the box forms aportion of the fuel supportin floor of the furnace. kiln is formed with an opening to receive theair box and with brick ledges 52 on which the side supporting flanges of the air box rest, and the space above said. flanges and between the side walls of thebox and ;the adjacent brick workcan be filled in or packed with sand or other material 53. The brick work of the floor or base of the furnace is formed to receive the blast pipe to the rear end of the air box and to leave a space or opening below the front end of the box to receive the refuse from the box front end ash discharge, and also to. leave the front endfof'the box exposed for, acoessto the valve and scraper; handles. a a p Ijdonot herein claim a certain features The brick work or car of the' r common to this caseand to niyfcdpendi ig application Se. No. $3,404, filed Jan'. 22; 1909 (now Patent 'No. --958,971,"dated 'May 24, 1910) inasmuch as claim is iiiadeto such said box having supporting side flanges rest ing on said ledges, packing means filling the spaces above said flanges about to the level of said floor and top wall, and an air blast pipe opening vertically into said box through the floor thereof.

2. in combination, a furnace floor formed with depressed ledges, a forced draft air box arranged. longitudinally of said floor and having side flanges resting on said ledges, said box having an approximately flat top surface approximately level with said floor and forming a portion thereof and having upwardly directed air openings, the rear end portion of said top wall being blank and inuierforate, the. lower portion of said box forming a longitudinal ash receiving trough formed at its front end with an ash discharge opening, means normally closing saidopening and having an exterior operating handle accessible from the front end of the box, said box having a vertical air blast opening at its rear enddirectly below said blank portion of the ,topf vall to direct the air blast up against said portion, said box formed with an internal transverse partition separating the ash receiving trough from said air blast Opening, and

means operative longitudinally of said ash receiving trough between said partition and v upwardly directed air blast openings, said said discharge opening for drawing the ashes forwardly in said trough to said discharge: opening and having an operating portion extending to the exterior of said box and operative from the front end thereof.

3. In combination, a furnace floor, a forced draft air box arranged longitudinally thereof and supported therein and having an approximately flat top surface forming a portion of the fuel supporting surface of said floor; ,ahl 'lizh evji g upwardly directed air discharge openings, said box at its rear endforn'ied-avitli aiiwertical airblast "opening, at tiroughn thnntygt tiom thereof and having a transverse vertical partition to prevent discharge of ashesinto said vertical air blast opening and at its front-portion .t'oi'iiiedfwitli a bottom normally closed verticalash discharge opening, the longitudinal"lowerportion of said box forming an ash receiving trough of uniform cross sectional form and depth throughout, and means within the trough movable longitudinally thereof to draw theashes forwardly thereintosaid ash discharge opening, said means being operative from the exterior of the front end of the air box, the interior of said box being unobstructed for the uniform distribution of air pressure to said air discharge openings.

4. In combination, a furnace floor, a forced draft airibox arranged longitudinally thereof and having side supporting flanges set'in the walls of said floor a distance below the fuel supporting surface thereof, said box provided-with an approximately fiathorizontal top fuel supporting wall forming a portion of said floor and formed with series of upwardly directed air discharge openings, said box at its rear end having a vertical air blast opening through the bottom thereof to direct the air blast upwardly in ihe,box against its top wall and a transverse partition separating said air blast opening from the ash receiving portion of said box, the longitudinal lower portion of said box forming an ash receiving trough of uniform depth throughout its length and unobstructed for the uniform distribution of air pressure therein and having a normally closed bottom ash discharge opening, and movable ash forcing means arranger-l entirely within said trough for drawing the ashes therein to said opening and provided with an operating member extending to the exterior of the front end of said. box.

' 5. In combination, akiln floor, a forced draft air box arranged longitudinally thereof and provided with projecting side flanges intermediate its height and set therein, the top approximately flat fuel supporting wall of said box forming a portion of the fuel supporting surface of said floor and having tlainges being arranged a distance below said surface and protected from the fire thereon, said box having a vertical air blast opening through its bottom, the lower portion of said box forming an unobstructed ash receiving trough having a normally closed ash discharge opening." a

In combinatiorifa kiln floor having depressed ledges arranged below the "fuel supporting surface of said fiooiga forced draft air, box farrai ged longitudinal ly of said floor andih aving an approximately flat top ,fuel, supporting surface: forming portion ,,.of the fuel supporting surface of sa d floor nd having upwardly directed""ai blast above 1; e same, an "anor'rnally cldsed bot?-' tom ash diseharge outlet V .7.-A 1 kl111" fl001' formed with "depressed ledgeeand provided with a forced draft air box .having'de rel-sod side supports set on said ledges, sai box having a flat top fuel supporting'wall arranged a distance .above said supports and form ng a portion of the fuel '1 supporting surface 0 'said floor and havin q p movable longitudinallythereof between said partition and said discharge opening and series of'u \vardl'y and ou'twardly'directe air blast slits, said ledges and sup orts' be-.

ing spaced a substantial distance tom the 2 fuel. supporting surfaces of said fioor and rial, substantially as descri d.

8; A kiln floor-of brick work having a longitudinal recess and depressed supporting ledges, in combination wit a forced draft anbox arranged lft'sflld recess and supported by said ledges, and packing material in said recess between the walls of said box and the adjacent brick work w alls extending to the fuel. supportingsurface ofsaid floor, said 0 box. having a horizontal longitudinal top fu el supporting wall forming a port-ion of the fuel supporting surface of said floor and having upwardly directed air blast openings. y

9. A furnace floor having depressed sup: porting ledges, and a forced draft air box having depressed supports set: on said ledges and having a horizontal fuel supportingwall formin ,a portion of the fuel supporting surface 0 said floor and formed with upwardly directed air blast openings,

saidled s and supports being depressed a' distance elow said'fuel supporting surfaces of the floor and box, interposed protecting means isolatin said led es and supports from said sur aces, the ower portion {of said box forming a lon 'tudinal ash receiv' ing trough dependingl and having a norma closed bottomi'ash ply opening through the bottom thereof.

10; AI forced draft air box 11 ving an'ap roximately flat horizontal top mg wall formed with upwardly'directe air blastopnings, the reanendportion of said wall being blank, the lower portion of-saidbox forming a longitudinal ash receiving trough having a normally closed ash dischargeo'peniug andat its rear end having a bottomv vertical air blast opening directly below said blank portion ofthe top wall, and

an internal transverse partition separatingthe ash receiving trough from-said opening and directing the. air blast upwardly directly against said blank portion.

open n gS,-.said-box hav g P Side" on said ledges -,and provided v tecting "means d longitudinally therein and box'and being covered by rotecting mate,

elow said supports.

discharge outlet and a vertical air blast sup el sup ,rt-

with air'blast discharge 0 nin'gia, the longitudinal bottom portion b said ox forming an ash receiving trough having a" button! vertical 'air blast supply opening, the ginterior of the boxbeing unobstructed for the, uniform distribution of. air pressure. within the box, a vertical transverse partition span ning the trough immediatelylm front of said sup 1y opening, said tro ug havingan'ash disc ar'ge opening at its front po'rtion,mansnormally closing said discharge opening and operative from the front end of the box, and

an ash drawingslide within said trough and operative from the exterior of the front'end of said box.

12. A forced drafuairbox having a top fuel supporting wall with air blast discharge openings, the longitudinal lower 'por-;

tion of the box forming-an ash receiving trough provided with a vertical air.blast supply opening and depending nip'pl'e saiid trou h having at itsfront portion a bottom ash ischarge opening and depending nippie 9, valvemounted in said nipple andnormally" closing said ash discharge openin and provided with an exterior handle, an an ash drawing slide movable longitudinally of said trough between said air blast and ash dischargeopenings and provided with a front end operating handle, said trough provided with means guardin said air blast opening against disc argeo ash thereinto.

" '13. A forced draft air box having a horizontal top fuel supporting wall with air blast outlets, the lbwer longitudinal portion of said box forming an ash receiving trough having a. bottom airblast sup ly opening and'a'normallv closedash disc argeopening,via n ash 1 wing slide longitudinally movable'insaid trough and arranged transversely thereof'- and generally conforming to the internal transverse dimensionsof said trough and pmvid'ed'with an operatingfhandle enten din'g to the exterior of the'front end of the trough, 'and 'a transverse parti-E izion inadvance'of said supply opening and imiti p g the. rearward movement of said slide a a 14. An air but for 'a forced draft furnace having a horizontal to fuel supporting wall formed with upwar directed air discharge openings, said x beinginternally unobstructed for the uniform distribution of air pressure to said openings and composed of a pair of longitudinal sections, the upper section comprisin said'horizontal wall and depending vertica walls and the lower sec- .tion rebeiving saidvertical wallsyand composed of an "ash receiving trough off-uniform ,depth and cross sectionalform throughout; a v and having an' air blast inletopening and a transverse vertical partition guarding-said opening, and a bottom ash discharge opening and depending nipple, said nipple provided with means normally closing the same,

and an ash drawing slide longitudinally movable in said trough between said partition and ash LllhCllilFgC opening and ar ranged t'ansversely thereof and generally conforming to the internal transversedimensions of said trough and provided with an operating handle extending to the exterior of the trough.

15. An air box for a forced draft furnace formed with a top fuel supporting wall having upwardly directed air blast openings, said box composed "of upper and lower longitudinal sections, the upper section comprising said wall, the rear end portion of said wall being blank, the lower section composed of an ash receiving trough at its front end having a normally closed ash discharge opening and at its rear end having a bottom vertical air blast opening directly below said blank portion and an. internal transverse partition immediately in front of said air blast opening and forming the rear end of the ash receiving portion of said trough, and ash drawing means operative longitudinally from said partition to said ash discharge opening and provided with an operating portionv extending to the exterior of the front end of the box.

16. An air box for a forced draft furnace having a top fuel supporting wall formed with upwardly directed air dis charge openings, said box formed in longitudinal sections, the upper section comprising said wall, and the lower-section form ing an ash receiving trough at its rear end having a vertical airblast inlet through its floor and a transverse partition arranged within the trough in front of said inlet, and

forming the rear end wall of the ash receiving portion ,of the trough.

17 An air box for a forced draft furnace having a horizontal top fuel supporting wall with upwardly directed air discharge openings, said box having an air blast inletland formed of upper and lower longitudinal'sections, the up er section comprising said wall, and the ower section composed of an unobstructed longitudinal ash receiving trough having at its front portion :1 normally closed ash discharge opening and at its rear portion a transverse artition guarding said air blast inlet, an an ash drawing slide longitudinally movable in said trough and arranged transversely thereof and generally conforming to tlfe internal transverse dimensions of said tren h and provided with an operatin handle arranged longitudinally of H18 trough and extending through the front end of the trough to the exteriorlhereof.

18. An air box for forced draft furnaces having an'air blast inlet and a horizontal longitudinal top fuel supporting wall having an approximately flat top fuel support ing surface and a series of spaced openings, each opening having 2v bead therearound raised above the general level of said top fuel supporting surface and flat plates set down in said openings and in-conneetion with the walls of the openings forming upwardly directed air discharge slits, said beads guarding the edges of said plates, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM H. PALMER.

Witnesses:

J. M. Htmrnnnv, B. Hunson. 

